What's happening on Capitol Hill?

Important conservation policy updates [View email as a webpage]( [WWF logo]( [Monarch butterflies] Dear {NAME}, As Congress heads into their August recess, below are important updates that are happening on Capitol Hill related to WWF's conservation priorities and legislation including: - FY24 Congressional Appropriations - 2023 Farm Bill - Wildlife conservation legislation - Plastic pollution - Grasslands [Policy papers] FY24 Congressional Appropriations The House and Senate appropriations committees have advanced their FY24 funding bills, and the story for international conservation programs is a surprisingly good one. Despite the House making deep cuts to foreign assistance programs overall, the international conservation programs that WWF advocates for saw almost no cuts—both the USAID Biodiversity Conservation and Wildlife Trafficking programs are funded at the same levels as last year, with the Global Environment Facility funded at a somewhat lower level. In the Senate, the news is even better: its bill includes increased funding for the USAID programs and maintains funding at current levels for other conservation and wildlife trafficking programs. However, for international climate programs, the story is different. Funding for those programs is totally absent from the House bill, which includes language prohibiting the Administration from directing funding to some international climate efforts such as the Green Climate Fund. The Senate restores international climate funding and even increases funding levels for some programs in its bill, so we expect this to be a major point of contention as the House and Senate try to come up with an agreement on spending levels for the coming year. WWF has weighed in strongly with both chambers throughout the process and is advocating hard to hold the line or secure modest increases in the outcome, given the challenging political dynamics in the current Congress. [PODCAST] [Nature Breaking: Bringing the Nature Agenda to Congress]( [Greens] 2023 Farm Bill The House and Senate Agriculture Committees are currently drafting the new Farm Bill, which will guide food and agricultural policy in the US for the next five years. The Farm Bill is one of the most critical pieces of legislation for the US food system, impacting food production, the environment, and the health and nutrition of US communities. It's a crucial opportunity to advance conservation and climate-smart policies because food systems globally account for about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions and are a leading cause of deforestation, land conversion, and biodiversity loss. While a vote on the new bill is likely still several months away, some of the key issues at play are taking shape. These include safeguarding the more than $20 billion investment in climate-smart agriculture and forestry provided by the Inflation Reduction Act last year, addressing food loss and waste, and preventing deforestation and conversion in agricultural supply chains. The current Farm Bill expires on September 30, and it is likely that Congress will need to pass an extension. WWF is continuing to actively engage the House and Senate while the chambers continue negotiations. [PODCAST] [Nature Breaking: How the Farm Bill Advances Conservation Priorities]( [Tiger] Wildlife Conservation Legislation Sen. Carper (D-DE) and Capito (R-WV) have introduced legislation in the Senate to reauthorize the Multinational Species Conservation Funds (MSCF) at the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which support efforts to protect populations of elephants, rhinos, tigers, great apes, and marine turtles and have been a longstanding priority for WWF. The bill would renew the MSCF programs, which expire this year, for an additional five years. The Senate is moving quickly, with the Environment and Public Works Committee having already advanced the bill. We expect to the House to introduce their version of the bill very soon. WWF is working to get the bill signed into law by the end of the year. WWF is also supporting efforts to pass the Recovering America's Wildlife Act in this Congress, after it narrowly failed last year. The bill has been introduced in the Senate and has a strong list of bipartisan cosponsors, with a coalition of NGOs working to build a similar bipartisan effort in the House. The sticking point remains exactly how Congress plans to pay for the bill, which would direct over $1 billion annually to State and tribal wildlife agencies working to protect at-risk species. [Green turtle] Plastic Pollution In March, WWF convened a Plastic Policy Summit to bring together Federal, state and local policymakers, corporate partners, and fellow non-profits to chart a course to end plastic pollution. Leaders gathered to discuss environmental justice protections, advancements in recycling, reduction and reuse, and tangible next steps for all participants to take to end plastic pollution. In May, countries met in Paris for the second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) meeting to develop a global treaty on plastic pollution. Over the course of a week, nations negotiated the outline of a global treaty, and a first draft is expected in the next few months as leaders come together again in November in Nairobi for INC-3. WWF is engaging federal agencies and Members of Congress to ensure the US supports strong outcomes in the negotiations and to lay the groundwork for an eventual treaty, which is expected to be finalized in 2024. [Singing male dicksisel] Grasslands The North American Grasslands Conservation Act, first introduced last year by Sen. Wyden (D-OR), has potential to be one of the most significant steps for grassland conservation in a generation. North America's grasslands are some of the most threatened habitats on the planet and are disappearing at alarming rates. This bill would create a landmark voluntary program to conserve and restore threatened grassland ecosystems. WWF and partners are engaging members of the House, where the bill is gaining traction and we anticipate introduction this fall. Once Congress returns in September, we expect a flurry of legislative activity and we'll keep you up to date as we head into a busy fall with high-level events such as Climate Week, INC-3, and COP28 in the coming months. Thank you for staying engaged on these important policies that advance a healthier planet and future for all. Sincerely, Sara WWF Action Team Monarch butterflies © WWF-US/McDonald Mirabile; Policy papers © WWF-US/Darren Higgins; Greens at White Gate Farm in East Lyme, CT © Joe Buglewicz/WWF-US; Tiger © Suyash Keshari/WWF-International; Green sea turtle © Shutterstock/Willyam Bradberry/WWF-Sweden; Singing male dicksisel © WWF-US/Clay Bolt [Contact us]( [Update profile]( [Privacy policy]( [State disclosures]( [Unsubscribe]( Was this forwarded to you? [Subscribe to WWF email or text messages]( ¿Hablas español? Visita [Descubre WWF]( © 2023 [World Wildlife Fund]( 1250 24th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20037 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( Reduce | Reuse | Recycle